After My Stepdaughter Killed Our Child I Escaped

Seeing Hannah dismiss others with such indifference, it became clear she’s just like him!

I frowned, suppressing the disgust rising within me, and pushed the man invading my personal space away. His face registered shock, then anger, as I calmly spoke.

“My promise to your mother, to stay until Hannah came of age, is fulfilled. I’ll be leaving tomorrow.”

After more than a decade with them, Zachary never once mentioned marriage. It seems they both saw me as nothing more than a live-in nanny. Perhaps it’s just as well; leaving will be less complicated without any emotional ties.

His face darkened immediately.

“Ainara, are you still upset with Hannah?”

I lowered my gaze, unwilling to speak. He assumed he’d hit the mark and snorted coldly.

“When did you become so petty? Hannah’s still just a kid. What could you possibly hold against her?”

“Besides, you grew up an orphan. Where do you think you’ll go after leaving the Smith family?”

He thought he had me cornered, his words dripping with condescension. I took off the bracelet around my wrist and placed it on the table.

“Once I leave the Smiths, I’m going back to the shelter.”

The day I married Zachary, I knew he had no real affection for me. He and Reya were childhood sweethearts from prestigious families, perfectly matched in every way. When he welcomed me into the house, it was only because I reminded him of her and to care for Hannah.

So, I always kept an escape plan in mind. As soon as I got the agreed-upon payment, I’d leave and return to the shelter, where I truly belong.

What I don’t understand is why, even after fulfilling my responsibilities and our agreement, Zachary refuses to let me go.

“Mr. Smith, I’ve fulfilled my promise to your mother. Hannah has grown up.”

“I’ve been with the Smiths long enough. Rumors are spreading. Staying here without any acknowledgment would be disrespectful to your late wife.”

Zachary stared at me for a while, then suddenly his eyes softened with a hint of amusement.

“So that’s what’s bothering you. You don’t need to worry. Reya was always generous and wouldn’t mind.”

“Ultimately, you just want to officially marry me. That's merely a formality.”

“If you continue to be obedient and treat Hannah well, I might even...”

“No.”

I shook my head. “You misunderstand. I don’t wish to marry you, nor do I want to be legally tied.”

As soon as I finished, his eyes stormed with dark emotions. In the past, I’d have been terrified, fumbling for a way to calm his anger.

But I’m tired of living a life filled with humiliation.

“I don’t want to stay at the Smith residence any longer.”

“I want to return to the shelter, to care for the children with Ms. Stephens.”

“Hannah is an adult now and clearly has no use for me, given her disdain.”

“As long as Mr. Smith provides the agreed compensation, I will leave...”

With a loud crash, Zachary swept everything from the table onto the floor.

“Silence!”

“It seems we’ve treated you too well, making you think you can just come and go as you please!”

“I’ll tell you this: without my permission, you won’t leave the Smith residence!”

With that, he turned and left, ordering a few servants to lock me in the room. The heavy door shut with a resounding thud, leaving me with nothing but water that night.

The servant tasked with watching over me apologized, explaining that Zachary ordered me to be starved for a few days as punishment. I was stunned by his shamelessness, not expecting him to not only break our agreement but also resort to such vile means to torment me.

My body was still weak from a recent miscarriage, and I lay on the bed, contemplating ways to escape.

The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight streamed into the room, I heard a commotion outside the door.

“What? She’s really trying to leave? And Father has locked her up?”